Replying to a question of BJP MlA Dilip Ray in the State Assembly, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Wednesday said 71,426 foreign tourists visited the State last year which is a mere 0.96 per cent of the country’s total foreign visitors.
Panda said 4,58 20,689 tourists have visited the State in last five years. Out of the total, 1 76 97,871 tourists were from outside of the State and 3,13,974 from abroad.
Statistics revealed that the number of foreign tourists is gradually increasing in the State. The State had received 50,432 foreigners in 2010 and 60,722 in 2011, but the number increased to 64,719 in 2012 and 66,675 in 2013.
Panda said the Tourism Department and the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) have opened Panthasalas and Panthanivases to give accommodation to the tourists. He said the State has a total of 341 tourist centres, including the highest 25 in Cuttack and 22 in Ganjam district.